THE CURRY SEEKERS

Curry, believed to be one of the oldest continuously prepared meals in history, was first created in the Indus civilization. This comprised of an area ranging from today's Pakistan, most of Western India, to the Iranian coast, Afghanistan, and New Delhi. Archaeologists found traces of what they believe to be a proto-curry on remnants of cooking vessels and plates. It was very simple, containing ginger, garlic, and turmeric - all of which are spices commonly used in curry today. 

 

After the year 1000CE, Muslims brought with them their own culinary traditions. This included the heavy use of meat. Indian traders brought a wide variety of spices back with them from Southeast Asia, including cloves. 

 

In the 16th century, Portuguese traders brought the chili pepper with them to India, following their establishment of trading posts on the west coast of India. 

 

These external influences had a large impact on the evolution of the Indian curry. What started as a simply spiced sauce dish soon grew to become a greatly varied, complex, and loved dish all around the world. Curry is not a singular dish, but rather a culinary tradition which has been shaped and adapted over time to fit the tastes and traditions of different cultures. 

 

Thailand, Japan, Africa, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and countless other nations have embraced curry in their own unique way. Curry, as a commodity, is ever changing and adapting. 

 

While sometimes embraced as a luxury dish, other nations associated curry with the lower classes, even sparking racist opinions. From fading in and out of fashion, one thing remains true - curry has become a global commodity. The creation of pre-made curry pastes, powders, sauces, and products, while making curry more accessible, calls authenticity into question. What makes a curry a curry? Does the simple addition of a few sprinkles of curry powder radically transform a dish into something exotic? 

 

We, The Curry Seekers, were motivated to uncover some of the truth about curry. We wanted to understand how it evolved to become such a widely varied and loved dish not only in India but all across the world. As three university students, we each eat curry quite frequently, even though we live in Canada. It, in its various forms, is nutritious, fresh, convenient to prepare, and affordable. Our love and appreciation for curry cannot be overstated so we saw it as essential to truly pay homage to this dish by learning about its rich history.